I hear a small click. A lock turning. The patio doors squeak as he pushes them open, snow and cold drifting into the room and tickling my toes. The next breath I take is bitter, and Hunter releases me.
My knees hit the floor, and I fall onto the patio.
The paving is smooth against my cheek.
Ella. Don’t give up, honey.
I blink slow, watching the snow touch the ground beside me.
I can’t fight him.
Just keep going.
Where?
Anywhere but here.
My hand shakes as I reach out and plant my palm against the patio. I drag myself forward, the pain knocking me dizzy, like hot spikes plunging into my skin.
That’s it. Keep going.
Sometimes all I grab is snow, but I don’t stop.
I pull myself, my body the heaviest it’s ever felt.
Even when my fingers go numb.
Even when the temptation to sleep is overwhelming.
I hear a ringing phone, then Gable’s voicemail. “Leave a message.”
“Gable,” Hunter rushes out. “Why aren’t you picking up? Someone’s in the house. I think they got in through the patio doors … I can’t find Ella.”
I try to scream. To speak. To make any sound. But my throat is dry, and the most I can do is breathe.
“Please get home as fast as you can.”
He must hang up, because a hand grips my shoulder and he flips me onto my back.
Standing over me, he cleans the handle of theknife, then tosses it back into the ballroom. He’s blurring, fading away.
I can’t feel the snow anymore.
But I see him take out a gun.
I’m thrown back to Asher’s death. To a gun in my face, to accepting my death.
But I don’t want to die anymore.
I want to live.
I want Gable to rescue me like he did that night.
I want Gable.
I want my life with him.
But he isn’t coming.
